Handheld three-dimensional coordinate measuring device operatively coupled to a mobile computing device

ABSTRACT

A handheld device has a projector that projects a pattern of light onto an object, a first camera that captures the projected pattern of light in first images, a second camera that captures the projected pattern of light in second images, a registration camera that captures a succession of third images, one or more processors that determines three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of points on the object based at least in part on the projected pattern, the first images, and the second images, the one or more processors being further operable to register the determined 3D coordinates based at least in part on common features extracted from the succession of third images, and a mobile computing device operably connected to the handheld device and cooperating with the one or more processors, the mobile computing device operable to display the registered 3D coordinates of points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 17/147,925 filed Jan. 13, 2021, which is aContinuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.16/806,548 filed Mar. 2, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/818,923 filed Mar. 15, 2019, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a handheldthree-dimensional (3D) measurement device, and particularly to ahandheld 3D triangulation scanner.

A 3D triangulation scanner, also referred to as a 3D imager, is aportable device having a projector that projects light patterns on thesurface of an object to be scanned. One (or more) cameras, having apredetermined positions and alignment relative to the projector, recordsimages of the light pattern on the surface of an object. Thethree-dimensional coordinates of elements in the light pattern can bedetermined by trigonometric methods, such as by using triangulation.Other types of 3D measuring devices may also be used to measure 3Dcoordinates, such as those that use time of flight techniques (e.g.,laser trackers, laser scanners or time of flight cameras) for measuringthe amount of time it takes for light to travel to the surface andreturn to the device.

Today, processing capability of a handheld scanner is limited by thecapability of processors within the handheld scanner. Faster processingof scan data would be desirable. Greater flexibility and speed inpost-processing scan data would also be desirable. Another limitationtoday is inability of handheld 3D measurement devices today toconveniently and removably attach to a mobile phone for displaying testresults and providing user interface information.

Another limitation in devices for 3D measurement today is they do notconveniently interface with mobile computing devices such as mobilephones for displaying results and providing a user interface.

Accordingly, while existing handheld 3D triangulation scanners aresuitable for their intended purpose, the need for improvement remains,particularly in providing ability to scan in sunlight, ability to coolthe scanner while protecting against water and dust, ability to obtainincreased density of measured 3D points, and ability to obtain fasterand simpler post-processing of scan data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a handheld device comprises:a projector operable to project a pattern of light onto an object at aplurality of different times; a first camera operable to capture at theplurality of different times the projected pattern of light in firstimages; a second camera operable to capture at the plurality ofdifferent times the projected pattern of light in second images; aregistration camera operable to capture a succession of third images;one or more processors operable to determine three-dimensional (3D)coordinates of points on the object based at least in part on theprojected pattern, the first images, and the second images, the one ormore processors being further operable to register the determined 3Dcoordinates based at least in part on common features extracted from thesuccession of third images; and a mobile computing device operablyconnected to the handheld device and in communication with the one ormore processors, the mobile computing device being operable to displaythe determined registered 3D coordinates of points.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe disclosure are apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a 3D triangulation scanneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the 3D triangulation scanneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the 3D triangulation scanner according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B are an exploded perspective view and an assembled isometricview, respectively, of a carrying structure according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 4C, 4D are an assembled perspective view and an exploded isometricview, respectively, of a carrying structure integrated with cameraassemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B are a front exploded perspective view and a front assembledisometric view, respectively, of a camera assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5C, 5D are rear perspective exploded and partial cutaway views,respectively, of a camera assembly according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B are exploded perspective and assembled perspective views,respectively, of an aluminum integral carrying structure subassemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B are first and second perspective exploded views of aprojector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7C, 7D are front and sectional views of a projector assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of faceplate and illuminationassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B include a housing cover, cooling assembly, and electronicsassembly exploded to two different levels according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9C, 9D are front and rear exploded perspective views of anelectronics and cooling assembly according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9E is a rear perspective view of the electronics and coolingassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9F is a cutaway view of the electronics and cooling assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9G, 9H, 9I are rear, first sectional, and second sectional views,respectively, of the electronics and cooling assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the 3D triangulation scannershowing the accessory interface according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the underside of the 3D triangulationscanner showing a USB and automation interface according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A, 12B are rear perspective exploded and rear perspectiveassembled views of the 3D triangulation scanner showing a mobile phoneattached to the 3D triangulation scanner according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 12C, 12D are data glasses of a first type and data glasses of asecond type according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C are front perspective, front exploded perspective,and rear perspective views of a mobile personal computer (PC) accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14, 15 are block diagrams of electronics coupled to thetriangulation scanner according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a prior art handheld scannerand processing system;

FIG. 17A illustrates a method of interconnecting a mobile PC with amobile display using USB tethering according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17B illustrates a method of interconnecting a mobile PC with amobile display using a Wi-Fi access point according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17C illustrates a method of interconnecting a mobile PC with aworkstation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18A illustrates a top level menu provided on a display according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18B illustrates a display updated in real time during a measurementby a scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18C illustrates processing functions performed according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18D illustrates post-processing functions performed assistance of aprocessor in a scanner;

FIG. 18E illustrates post-processing functions performed according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a triangulation scanner havinga projector and a camera according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20A is a schematic representation of a triangulation scanner havinga projector and two cameras according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of a triangulation scanner having aprojector, two triangulation cameras, and a registration cameraaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation illustrating epipolar terminology;

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation illustrating how epipolarrelations may be advantageously used in when two cameras and a projectorare placed in a triangular shape according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a system in which 3D coordinates are determined fora grid of uncoded spots projected onto an object according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 24A, 24B are views captured by a left camera and a right camera,respectively, of a scanner that projects a grid pattern according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 24C, 24D are columns of grid spots extracted from FIGS. 24A, 24B,respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 25A, 25B illustrate increasing the density of scan data byevaluating 3D coordinates of pixel rows for each spot according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 26A, 26B illustrate projected spots being interconnected by curvesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 27A, 27B illustrate a method for increasing the density of scandata by evaluating 3D coordinates of pixel rows for each spot and forinterconnecting curves according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 28A, 28B illustrate a method for increasing the resolution of scandata and obtaining improved 3D coordinates of sharp edges by evaluatingpixel rows for a combination of projected spots and lines according toan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 29A, 29B illustrate a method for increasing the resolution of scandata and obtaining improved 3D coordinates of sharp edges by evaluatingpixel rows for projected dashed lines according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure,together with advantages and features, by way of example with referenceto the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention provide for improved interfacing anddisplay with a 3D handheld scanner.

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a handheld 3D triangulation scanner10, also referred to as a handheld 3D imager. In an embodiment, thescanner 10 includes a first infrared (IR) camera 20, a second IR camera40, a registration camera 30, a projector 50, an Ethernet cable 60 and ahandle 70. In an embodiment, the registration camera 30 is a colorcamera. Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologiesstandardized under IEEE 802.3. The enclosure 80 includes the outmostenclosing elements of the scanner 10, as explained in more detail hereinbelow. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the scanner 10 furthershowing an exemplary perforated rear cover 220 and a scan start/stopbutton 210. In an embodiment, buttons 211, 212 may be programmed toperform functions according to the instructions of a computer program,the computer program either stored internally within the scanner 10 orexternally in an external computer. In an embodiment, each of thebuttons 210, 211, 212 includes at its periphery a ring illuminated by alight emitting diode (LED).

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view 300 of the scanner 10. In anembodiment, the scanner 10 includes faceplate assembly 310, handle coverassembly 320, carrying structure assembly 330, left cover plate 332,right cover plate 334, interlocking finger plates 342, 344, 346, rearassembly 340, and Ethernet cable 60.

FIGS. 4A, 4B are exploded perspective and assembled perspective views,respectively, of the carrying structure assembly 400. In an embodiment,the carrying structure 400 includes top plate 404, bottom plate 402,camera holders 406A, 406B, 406C, spacer brackets 410A, 410B, tripodthread adapter 408, base plate 416, a structural tube 418, and aprojector holder 430. In an embodiment, the structural tube 418 isjoined to the base plate 416 and projector holder 430 by adhesive. In anembodiment, the structural tube 418 is made of carbon-fiber compositematerial.

FIGS. 4C, 4D are assembled and exploded rear perspective views,respectively, of an upper subassembly 440 of the carrying structureassembly 400. In an embodiment, the upper subassembly 440 includes thetop plate 404, the bottom plate 402, the camera holders 406A, 406B,406C, the spacer brackets 410A, 410B, the tripod thread adapter 408, aninertial measurement unit (IMU) board 450, cameras 610A, 610B, 612, andscrews 460. The cameras 610A, 610B, 612 include lens assemblies 520,camera circuit boards 510, and ribbon cables 516. The lens assemblies520 of the cameras 610A, 610B, 612 are inserted through openings in thecamera holders 406A, 406B, 406C, and the cameras 610A, 610B, 612 aresecured in place with screws 460 that pass through the circuit boards510 into the camera holders 406A, 406B, 406C.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D are exploded front perspective, assembled frontperspective, exploded rear perspective, and cutaway side views,respectively, of camera 500 according to an embodiment. The camera 500includes a camera board 510 having a photosensitive array 512, a circuitboard with supporting electrical components 514, and a ribbon cable 516.The camera 500 further includes lens assembly 520, lock washer 528, lensholder 530, optical filter 542, O-ring 544, filter clamp 546, screws548, and gasket 550. Lens assembly 520 includes lens 522, lens housing524, and lens threads 526. If the camera 500 is an IR camera such as thecameras 20, 40, the optical filter 542 is a relatively narrow opticalpassband filter selected to pass light emitted by the projector 50. Inan embodiment, an IR camera includes a photosensitive array having morethan one million pixels, a frame rate of 60 Hz, a bit depth of 10 bits,and a global shutter. If the camera 500 is the registration camera 30,then in an embodiment the photosensitive array 512 is a color arrayhaving red-green-blue (RGB) subpixel elements, and the optical filter542 passes at least a portion of the visible spectrum. The lens holder530 includes threaded screw holes 532, threaded standoffs 534, recess536, and threaded sleeve 538. The filter 542 is held in place by O-ring544 and filter clamp 546, which sit in recess 536 and are held in placewith screws 548. Gasket 550, which sits between the circuit board 514and the lens holder 530, is held in place by the threaded standoffs 534.The circuit board 514 is held in place by the screws 552. The gasket 550keeps dirt from reaching the surface of the photosensitive array 512.The lens threads screw into the threaded sleeve 538 and is locked inplace by the lock washer 528. The position of the lock washer 526 on thelens thread 526 is set by a factory procedure in according to theposition at which the lens assembly 520 brings a target into focus at apredetermined distance from the camera 500.

FIGS. 6A, 6B are exploded and assembled front perspective views of analuminum upper subassembly 600 that is an alternative embodiment to theupper subassembly 440 of FIGS. 4C, 4D. The aluminum upper subassembly600 replaces the top plate 404, the bottom plate 402, the camera holders406A, 406B, 406C, and the spacer brackets 410A, 410B with a singlealuminum structural component 620. The aluminum upper subassembly hasthe advantage of being quickly assembled but the may also have arelatively higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). However, thealuminum upper subassembly is used in combination with a usercompensation procedure, sometimes referred to as a user calibrationprocedure, that is routinely performed during measurements by thetriangulation scanner 10 and that may also be performed whenever desiredby the user by making use of a special calibration plate. An exemplarycalibration plate for this purpose is described in U.S. Published PatentApplication No. 2017/0188015 to Heidemann, et al., the contents of whichare incorporated by reference. FIG. 6A also shows bumpers 630A, 630B,which attach to the back of spacer brackets 410A, 410B with screws suchas the screw 411 (FIG. 4D).

In an embodiment, software run on a processor coupled to thetriangulation scanner 10 provides a signal or alert (such as a warningmessage) when a compensation procedure may be performed. In oneembodiment, the software determines that a compensation procedure is tobe performed whenever there is a predetermined change (e.g. 5 degreesCelsius) in the temperature of the scanner 10 following the last scannercalibration. In an embodiment, the scanner temperature is measured bytemperature sensors within the scanner 10. In another embodiment, thesoftware determines that a compensation procedure is to be performedwhenever there is a predetermined inconsistency in measured results asdetermined using at least one method described herein. Suchinconsistencies may be found, for example, by using two cameras and aprojector mounted in a triangular pattern, as in FIG. 1, based onepipolar geometry. The self-consistency requirements of epipolargeometry are described below in reference to FIGS. 22, 23.

FIGS. 7A, 7B are exploded perspective views of a lower portion of thecarrying structure 330 attached to additional components of theprojector 50. FIGS. 7C, 7D are a front and an expanded cross sectionalview C-C, respectively, of a projector subassembly. Exemplary base plate416, structural tube 418 and projector holder 430 were shown in FIG. 4A.Additional exemplary components shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D includelaser control electrical board 750, infrared laser 700, heat conductionpad 704, diffractive optical element (DOE) sealing block 720, DOE holder710, thermal gap filler 728, laser pointer 730, projector heat-sinkcover 740, and projector window 742. In an embodiment, the infraredlaser 700 is Fabry-Perot laser that generates laser wavelengths between798 and 816 nm. In an embodiment, for background temperatures of 0 to 40degrees Celsius, a thermoelectric (TE) cooler built into the infraredlaser 700 stabilizes the laser temperature to +/−1 degree Celsius,resulting in the predetermined laser wavelength being stabilized tobetter than +/−1 nanometer. A TE cooler is also referred to as a Peltiercooler. It should be appreciated that the present embodiment may referto the TE cooler as being integral with or built into the laser 700,this is for example purposes and the claims should not be so limited. Inother embodiments, the TE cooler may be separate from, but thermallycoupled to, the laser 700.

A TE control circuit on the electrical board 750 provides the electricalsignals to the TE cooler in the laser 700 to control the temperature ofthe laser active area and the resulting wavelength of the laser 700. Inan embodiment, the infrared laser 700 produces a collimated circularbeam having a single transverse mode. In an embodiment, the laserproduces a wavelength of 810 nm and produces a beam having a singletransverse mode having a power of 800 mW. The laser 700 and heatconduction pad 704 are fastened onto the projector holder 430. The TEcooler in the laser 700 may dump heat into the projector holder 430 orremove heat from the projector holder to hold the laser at the desiredconstant temperature. The DOE sealing block 720 is attached withfasteners 724 to holes 432 in the projector holder 430. Collimated lightfrom the laser 700 passes from the laser output 702 through an opening722 before reaching a DOE 713 adhesively bonded to a recess in the DOEholder 710 and passing out the opening 714 in the DOE holder 710. AnO-ring 704 is positioned between the laser 700 and DOE sealing block720. Another O-ring 716 is positioned between the DOE sealing block 720and the DOE holder 710. Fasteners 717 attach the DOE sealing block 720to the DOE holder 710. A red pointer beam source 730 attaches to DOEholder 710 and is held in place by the DOE sealing block 720. The redlight from the red pointer beam source 730 passes through a hole 715 andis emitted out the front face of the DOE holder 710. The red beampropagates out of the projector 50 parallel to the infrared beam fromthe laser 700. Electrical power is provided to the red pointer beamsource 730 over the cable 732, which is connected to theFPGA-electronics board assembly 938 shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C. The leadsfrom the butterfly package of the infrared laser 700 likewise connect tothe electrical board 750. The thermal gap filler 728 is sandwichedbetween the DOE holder 710 and the projector heat-sink cover 730. Theexcess heat dumped to the projector holder 430 passes through the DOEsealing block 720, DOE holder 710, and thermal gap filler 728 to enterthe heat sink 740, which includes thermal fins and a relatively largethermal capacity to dissipate heat generated by the infrared laser 700.The thermal gap filler 728 conducts heat from the DOE holder 710 to theheat-sink cover 740. The thermal gap filler 728 and window 742 protectthe DOE 713 from exposure to dirt and other contaminants.

The DOE generates a pattern, which in an embodiment is a collection ofspots and in another embodiment further includes a collection of lines,as discussed herein below in reference to FIGS. 23, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D,25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B. A correspondence between projected andimaged patterns is evaluated to determine 3D coordinates of an objectunder test, as further discussed herein below in reference to FIGS. 19,20A, 20B, 21, 22, 23. In an embodiment, the pattern includes arectilinear grid of 11000 spots.

The use of a TE cooler in the laser 700 and a TE control circuit on theelectrical board 750 stabilizes the laser wavelength, preventing thewavelength from drifting over a range of different values. By providingeach of the IR cameras 610A, 610B with a relatively narrow opticalpassband filter having a passband selected to pass light emitted by thelaser 700, the amount of background IR light that reaches thephotosensitive arrays 512 of the cameras is greatly reduced. As aresult, in most cases, the scanner 10 is able to make measurements infull sunlight.

Referring back to FIG. 3, a method for attaching the carrying structure330 within the overall structure of the triangulation scanner 10 is nowdescribed. In an embodiment, the carrying structure 330 in FIG. 3rigidly supports the camera and projector elements. In an embodiment,elements that surround the carrying structure are designed to minimizeforces applied to the carrying structure 330. In this way, stability ofthe carrying structure 330 is improved when there are changes in ambienttemperature or changes in forces such as gravitational forces on thetriangulation scanner 10. Gravitational forces may result from a changein direction of the 3D triangulation scanner 10, for example, when thetriangulation scanner is turned upside down on turned on its side.

In an embodiment, the left cover plate 332 and the right cover plate 334in FIG. 3 each have six connection features 333. The bottom threeconnection features of the left cover plate 332 each attach to one ofthe fingers 343 of the finger plate 342, and the bottom three connectionfeatures of the right cover plate 334 each attach to one of the fingers343 of the finger plate 344. The finger plates 342, 343 attach to theperforated rear cover 220, one on each side of the rear cover extension221. In an embodiment, the top three connection features of the leftcover plate 332 each attach to one of the fingers 347 of the fingerplate 346, and the top three connection features of the right coverplate 334 each attach to one of the fingers 347 of the finger plate 346.The fingerplate 346 is attached to the perforated rear cover 220.

The combination of the cover plates 332, 334, the finger plates 342,344, 346, and the perforated rear cover 220 form a box-like structure,three sides of which are formed of thin sheet metal. The cover plates332, 334 are attached to bumpers 630A, 630B (FIGS. 3, 6A) with fastenersthat pass-through holes 311A, 311B, 331A, 331B and screw into tappedholes 631A, 631B.

The enclosure 80 includes the outermost components of the scanner 10such as the perforated rear cover 220, the handle cover assembly 320,and the faceplate assembly 310. Within the enclosure are a number ofelements such as cover plates 332, 334 and bumpers 630A, 630B that holdthe carrying structure 330 in a manner that allows the carryingstructure 330 to “float” within the enclosure 80, thereby reducing orminimizing changes among the relative positions and orientations of thecameras 20, 30, 40 and projector 50. It has been found that this loosecoupling of the rigid carrying structure and other components therebyprovides more stable measurements.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary faceplate assembly 310. Thefaceplate assembly 310 includes a face panel 810, camera windows 820,light guide 830, and illumination assembly 840. The face panel 810includes openings 812, 813, 814 for light passing to the cameras 20, 30,40, respectively. Around the edges of the opening 813 are a collectionof holes 816. The holes 816 are covered by the light guide 830. Theillumination assembly 840 includes circuit board 841 on whichsurface-mount white LEDs 842 are positioned to project light into theholes 816. Foam gaskets 312 (FIG. 3) fit over camera holders 406A, 406B,406C, pressing against the face panel 810 to seal the camera assemblies610A, 610B, 612 from dirt and dust.

FIGS. 9A, 9B are exploded perspective and assembled perspective views ofrear assembly 340. In an embodiment, the rear assembly 340 includeselectronics-cooler assembly 930, rear cover assembly 910, and Ethernetcable 60. FIGS. 9C, 9D, 9E are exploded front perspective, exploded rearperspective, and assembled rear perspective views, respectively, of theelectronics-cooler assembly 930. In an embodiment, theelectronics-cooler assembly 930 includes a front panel assembly 932, anFPGA-electronics board assembly 938, a duct assembly 950, and a fanassembly 980. In an embodiment, the FPGA electronics board assembly 938includes circuit board 940, standoffs 941, field-programmable gate array(FPGA) chip 942, cable 943, and connector 944, as well as otherelectrical components. In an embodiment, the electronics board assembly938 further provides one or more temperature sensors that monitor thetemperature of the interior of the scanner 10. The electronics-coolerassembly 930 further includes duct assembly 950, which includes openings952, 954 to accept heat sinks 960, 962, respectively. The heat sinks960, 962 are thermally, but not electrically, connected by gap-fillingpads 964 to electrical components on the circuit board 940, especiallyFPGA 942 and DC-to-DC converter components. Front panel assembly 932includes a front panel 934 having slots 936 that pass over largeelectrical components on the circuit board 940. Fasteners 958 passthrough holes 935 and standoffs 941 before attaching to threadedstandoffs 956 on the duct assembly 950. Tightening of the fasteners 958allows for the thermal gap fillers 964 to remain firmly pressed againstthe heat sinks 960, 962. In an embodiment, the front panel 934 provideselectromagnetic shielding for electrical components on the circuit board940. The front panel 934 also provides thermal shielding of theremaining interior of the scanner 10 from heat generated by electricalcomponents on the circuit board 940.

The duct assembly 950 includes the threaded standoffs 956, the openings952, 954, and an internal channel 966 through which air is directed overfins of the heat sinks 960, 962 and expelled out of the duct assembly950 through the duct exit port 967, as shown in cutaway view of theelectronics-cooler assembly 930 of FIG. 9F. The fan assembly 980includes an outer fan 974, a fan cover 975, an inner fan 970, and a fancover 976. The perforated rear cover 220 (FIG. 2) of the rear assembly340 fits over the electronics-cooler assembly 930. The fans 970, 974rotate in such a direction as to draw air 984 in through theperforations in the perforated rear cover 220. The drawn-in air 984passes along a path 968 in the internal channel 966 and passes out ofthe exit port 967. Although the exit port 967 is open to the outsideenvironment, the duct assembly 950 has a water-tight and dust-tight sealwith respect to the rest of the scanner 10. In an embodiment, thedrawn-in air passes over fins 961 in heat sink 960 and over fins 963 inheat sink 962. One type of fin, illustrated by the fins 961, 963,include flat elements surrounded by air. An advantage of a finnedheat-sink structure is that it enables a relatively large transfer ofheat from the hot fins to the surrounding cooler air blown over the finsand expelled through the exit port 967.

FIG. 9G is a rear view of the duct assembly 950 and the fan assembly980. Section views A-A and B-B are shown in FIGS. 9I and 9H,respectively. The two fans 970, 974 are radial fans, also known ascentrifugal fans. This type of fan receives air in an input directionand propels it in a direction perpendicular to the input direction, inthis case, along the direction 968. By stacking the two radial fans 970,974, air may be propelled to fill the internal channel 966 in a smoothflow that efficiently removes heat from the heat sinks 960, 962 withoutcausing vibration. In the cross-section A-A of FIG. 9I, the two fans970, 974 can be seen behind the heat sink 960 to fill the regioncontaining the fins of the large heat sink 960, thereby providingefficient and effective cooling of the largest heat generators on thecircuit board 940. In the cross-section B-B of FIG. 9H, a small gap isleft around the heat sink 962 to preserve the nearly laminar flow of theair along the path 968.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 1 except that the cap 12 (FIG. 1) has beenremoved to reveal the accessory interface 1000. In an embodiment, theaccessory interface 1000 is a threaded hole that accepts a variety ofaccessories. In an embodiment, the threaded hole is UNC-¼ inch, which isto say, a Unified National Coarse (UNC) screw having a diameter of ¼inch with 20 threads per inch. In other embodiments, metric threads areused. The method of attaching the threaded hole to the carryingstructure assembly 330 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4A. In an embodiment, theaccessory interface 1000 includes an interface plate 408 and screws 412as shown in FIG. 4A. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, theaccessory interface is attached to the top of an aluminum uppersubassembly 600.

In embodiments, several types of accessories are attached to theaccessory interface 1000. Such devices include but are not limited to: acolor camera, a laser line generator, a mobile phone, an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU), a global positioning system (GPS), a robot arm,a target, and a projector. In an embodiment, the accessory color cameraprovides high-resolution color images that are used to colorize the 3Dscan data provided by the scanner 10 or to add annotation data todisplayed images.

In an embodiment, the laser line generator is attached to the accessoryinterface 1000. In an embodiment, the laser line generator produces aline of laser light that is imaged by the built-in registration camera30 (FIG. 1) to add line scanning functionality to the scanner 10. In anembodiment, the laser line is projected in a plane that intersects thecameras 20, 30, 40 in FIG. 1. The pattern of the projected line light ascaptured by the two-dimensional array of the registration camera 30 isused by a processor to perform triangulation calculations that give the3D coordinates of object points intersected by the line of light. Inanother embodiment, the cameras 20, 40 are further used to image theprojected line of light.

In an embodiment, a mobile computing device, such as a cellulartelephone for example, is added to the accessory interface 1000. Sensorswithin the mobile computing device such as the GPS, IMU, camera, and soforth can be used to assist in scan registration, tracking, dataquality, augmented reality, and so forth. An alternative method of usinga mobile computing device with the scanner 10 is described in referenceto FIGS. 12A, 12B.

In embodiments, dedicated sensors such as an IMU or a GPS are attachedto the accessory interface 1000. Such sensors may have more accuracy orcapability than those sensors found in a mobile computing device. Inanother embodiment, the scanner 10 is attached to a robot by theaccessory interface 1000. In this case, the scanner 10 may be used tomeasure 3D coordinates at locations accessed by the robotic system.

In an embodiment, a target is added to the accessory interface 1000 tomake the Freestyle recognizable or trackable by other devices. Forexample, the target might be a retroreflector such as a cube-cornerretroreflector, possibly embedded in a spherically mountedretroreflector. In this case, the target could be tracked by a lasertracker, for example. In another embodiment, the target is a six-DOFprobe that is tracked by a six-DOF tracker in six degrees-of-freedom,thereby enabling the pose of the scanner 10 to be determined duringmovement of the probe. In other examples, the position of a target isdetermined by a camera system, such as a stereo camera system, forexample. For the case in which there are several scanners in anenvironment, the target may provide a recognizable code that identifiesthe scanner 10. The target may also provide a way for a given target tobe identified in the scan of a second scanner, allowing for easierregistration.

In an embodiment, a projector is added to the accessory interface 1000.In an embodiment, the added projector emits patterns of light thatprovide additional information. For example, the projector may projectcomputer aided design (CAD) data of known objects.

FIG. 11 is an perspective view of a scanner 10 showing a “USB andautomation interface” 1100 in an open position. In an embodiment, theUSB and automation interface 10 includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB)female connector 1102. The USB is an industry standard maintained by theUSB Implementer's Forum. The USB is designed to provide power as well asdata communications. In most cases, the accessories attached toaccessory interface 1000 are either connected with a USB cable to theUSB female port 1102 or they are connected to the scanner system 1720 bywireless communication as illustrated in FIG. 17B.

FIGS. 12A, 12B are a perspective exploded view and a perspectiveassembled view, respectively, of a scanner 10 and a display or mobilecomputing device 1200, which in an embodiment is a mobile computingdevice, such as a cellular telephone having a microprocessor, sometimesreferred to as a smart phone for example. In other embodiments, themobile computing device may be another type of general purpose portablecomputing device such as a personal digital assistant or a tabletcomputer for example that has been configured to operate with thescanner 10. In an embodiment, the mobile computing device 1200 is heldby a metallic adapter plate 1210 to magnets (not shown) placed beneathrubber strips 1220. The display device provides display and computingfunctionality, including a user interface (UI), which in an embodimentis responsive to touch. In an embodiment, the display device 1200further includes a rear-facing color camera which may supplement thevisual information provided by the registration camera 30, for example,by capturing 2D color still images. In an embodiment, such still imagesare synchronized with time stamps to the objects captured in 3D by thescanner 10.

Although the mobile computing device 1200 is conveniently attached tothe body of the scanner 10, in an embodiment, the mobile computingdevice 1200 is instead held by hand. In a further embodiment,illustrated in FIGS. 12C, 12D, data glasses are used in place of amobile computing device display to provide a continuously updated 3Dpoint cloud image. In an embodiment, data glasses 1220 provide anoperator with the view that would be displayed on the mobile computingdevice 1200 were the mobile computing device used. In an embodiment, thedata glasses 1220 include a headband 1222, an extension element 1224,and a display unit 1226. In an embodiment, the data glasses 1220 includea high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) implemented according toElectronics Industries Alliance (EIA)/Consumer Electronics Association(CEA)-861 standards. In an embodiment, an operator has a direct view ofthe objects being measured with both eyes, while also enabled to monitorthe determined 3D image on the display unit 1226. An example of dataglasses similar to those illustrated in FIG. 12C is the AirScouter HeadMounted Display manufactured by Brother International Corporation, withheadquarters in Bridgewater, N.J.

In an embodiment, the data glasses 1230 of FIG. 12D enable an operatorto view local surroundings while, at the same time, superimposing adigital representation over the local surroundings. The digitalsuperposition may be obtained using a number of different methods. Inone approach, a projector is used to project the digital pattern ontothe glasses, which is captured by one or both eyes. At the same time,light from the surroundings passes through the glasses and is seen bythe viewer. In another approach, the glasses are digital glasses thatcapture the surroundings with a camera, which might be a high dynamicrange (HDR) camera in some cases.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C are perspective views of a mobile personal computer(PC) 1300 in a front perspective view, a front exploded perspectiveview, and a rear perspective view, respectively. In an embodiment, themobile PC 1300 includes a computing unit 1310 and a battery 1330. In anembodiment, the computing unit 1310 includes a body 1312, a power on-offbutton 1314, and connector 1316 that accepts the Ethernet cable 60.Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies. It was firststandardized in 1985 as IEEE 802.3. In an embodiment, the femaleEthernet port 1104 supports 1 gigabit per second, often referred to asGigabit Ethernet. The battery 1330 includes a lock mechanism 1332 thatmay be squeezed inward to remove the battery from the body 1312. FIG.13C shows a rear panel 1320 that includes a first USB port 1322, asecond USB port 1323, a connector 1324 that accepts a cable from abattery-charger device, an LED 1325, a high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) port 1326. HDMI is an implementation of the EIA/CEA-861standards, and an audio jack 1327. In an embodiment, the measurementresults and user interface (UI) may be viewed in a web browser on thedisplay connected to the mobile PC 1300 by the HDMI port 1326.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of system electronics 1400 that in anembodiment is included in the scanner system 10. In an embodiment, theelectronics 1400 includes electronics 1410 within the handheld scanner10, electronics 1470 within the mobile PC 1300, electronics within themobile computing device 1200, electronics within other electronicdevices such as accessories that attach to the accessory interface 1000,and electronics such as external computers that cooperate with thescanner system electronics 1400. In an embodiment, the electronics 1410includes a circuit baseboard 1412 that includes a sensor collection 1420and a computing module 1430, which is further shown in FIG. 15. In anembodiment, the sensor collection 1420 includes an IMU and one or moretemperature sensors. In an embodiment, the computing module 1430includes a system-on-a-chip (SoC) field programmable gate array (FPGA)1432. In an embodiment, the SoC FPGA 1432 is a Cyclone V SoC FPGA thatincludes dual 800 MHz Cortex A9 cores, which are Advanced RISC Machine(ARM) devices. The Cyclone V SoC FPGA is manufactured by IntelCorporation, with headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. FIG. 15 representsthe SoC FPGA 1432 in block diagram form as including FPGA fabric 1434, aHard Processor System (HPS) 1436, and random access memory (RAM) 1438tied together in the SoC 1439. In an embodiment, the HPS 1436 providesperipheral functions such as Gigabit Ethernet and USB. In an embodiment,the computing module 1430 further includes an embedded MultiMedia Card(eMMC) 1440 having flash memory, a clock generator 1442, a power supply1444, an FPGA configuration device 1446, and interface board connectors1448 for electrical communication with the rest of the system.

Signals from the infrared (IR) cameras 610A, 610B and the registrationcamera 612 are fed from the camera boards 510 through ribbon cables 516to connectors 945 (FIG. 9C). Image signals 1452A, 1452B, 1452C from theribbon cables 516 are processed by the computing module 1430. In anembodiment, the computing module 1430 provides a signal 1453 thatinitiates emission of light from the laser pointer 730. A TE controlcircuit communicates with the TE cooler within the infrared laser 700through a bidirectional signal line 1454. In an embodiment, the TEcontrol circuit is included within the SoC FPGA 1432. In anotherembodiment, the TE control circuit is a separate circuit on thebaseboard 1412. A control line 1455 sends a signal to the fan assembly980 to set the speed of the fans. In an embodiment, the controlled speedis based at least in part on the temperature as measured by temperaturesensors within the sensor unit 1420. In an embodiment, the baseboard1412 receives and sends signals to buttons 210, 211, 212 and their LEDsthrough the signal line 1456. In an embodiment, the baseboard 1412 sendsover a line 1461 a signal to an illumination module 1460 that causeswhite light from the LEDs 842 to be turned on or off.

In an embodiment, bidirectional communication between the electronics1410 and the electronics 1470 is enabled by Ethernet communications link1465. In an embodiment, the Ethernet link is provided by the cable 60.In an embodiment, the cable 60 attaches to the mobile PC 1300 throughthe connector 1316 shown in FIG. 13B. The Ethernet communications link1465 is further operable to provide or transfer power to the electronics1410 through the user of a custom Power over Ethernet (PoE) module 1472coupled to the battery 1474. In an embodiment, the mobile PC 1470further includes a PC module 1476, which in an embodiment is an Intel®Next Unit of Computing (NUC) processor. The NUC is manufactured by IntelCorporation, with headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. In an embodiment,the mobile PC 1470 is configured to be portable, such as by attaching toa belt and carried around the waist or shoulder of an operator.

FIG. 16 illustrates a prior-art scanner system 1600 for measuring 3Dcoordinates of an object. Included in the system is a 3D scanner 1610and an accessory computer tablet 1630. In an embodiment, the 3D scanner1610 includes a projector 1612, a first camera 1614, a second camera1616, and a registration camera 1618. The accessory computer tablet 1630performs real-time processing of scan data, as well as post-processingof scan data. In an embodiment, the computer 1630 has the capability ofperforming more complex application functions such as registering ofmultiple completed scans. In most cases, the relatively challengingrequirements of application functions has led to those applicationsbeing performed on a workstation 1650. In an embodiment, data 1640 istransferred to the workstation 1650 using a removable flash memory cardsuch as a microSD card.

In an embodiment, the display for the scanner system is provided by amobile computing device, such as a cellular telephone with amicroprocessor or smart phone for example. In an embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 12A, 12B, the mobile computing device 1200 is attached to therear of the scanner 10. The display 1200 may obtain image data from theelectronics 1470 of the mobile PC in either of two ways.

In a first way 1700 illustrated schematically in FIG. 17A, communicationbetween the display device 1200 and the mobile PC 1300 is by cable. AUSB cable connects the mobile phone to the scanner 10, for example,through a USB cable 1490 (FIGS. 14, 17A) to the USB port 1102 (FIG. 11).Using USB tethering, the mobile display 1200 is connected to the mobilePC 1300 by the Ethernet cable 60 that provides Ethernet link 1465.

In a second way 1720 illustrated schematically in FIG. 17B,communication between the display device 1200 and the mobile PC 1300 isby wireless communication 1480 such as by Wi-Fi 802.11 ac. Wi-Fi 802.11ac is a wireless networking standard in the IEEE 802.11 family developedin the IEEE Standards Association and marketed under the brand nameWi-Fi, a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi 802.11 ac provides highthroughput in wireless local area networks (WLANS) on the 5 GHz band. Itprovides at least 1 gigabit per second of multi-station throughput andat least 500 megabits per second of single-link throughput. In anembodiment, the mobile PC 1300 is a Wi-Fi access point (AP) to which themobile computing device connects. Data is transferred from the mobile PC1300 to the mobile computing device 1200 or from the mobile computingdevice 1200 to the mobile PC 1300 through the Wi-Fi connection.

A display 1740 may also be substituted for the display 1200 asillustrated in FIG. 17C. In an embodiment, the mobile PC 1300 isconnected to the display 1740 by an HDMI cable that attaches to the port1326 of the mobile PC 1300. Measurement results may be shown on thedisplay 1740 using a web browser.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device provides not only scanresults but also a user interface (UI) offering a menu of choices ofoperation of the scanner system. In this way, the UI provided on themobile computing device 1200 contains a combination of functionalityneeded to display collected 3D data and to make selections on the UI tocarry out a variety of additional functions such as would be possiblewith stand-alone application software. FIG. 18A shows an exemplary toplevel menu 1800 that includes several icons. In an embodiment, pressingthe “arrow” icon 1801 causes a 3D measurement to be started, with theresulting 3D data collected and displayed on the mobile computing device1200 as the measurement progresses. Exemplary 3D data collected during ameasurement is shown in FIG. 18B. In this figure, a large button 1812 ispresent that may be pressed to stop the measurement. In an embodiment, aportion of the captured scan data is presented on the display. As themeasurement proceeds the center of the collected scan data moves withthe scanner to assist the user in determining whether the desiredregions have been fully scanned.

Referring back to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18A, the top menulevel includes a “tools” icon 1802 that provides a selection ofavailable calibrations such as on-site calibration (for example, using acalibration plate) and white-balancing calibration. In an embodiment,the top menu level further includes a “scan projects” icon 1803 thatcauses thumbnail size images of scans associated with scan projects tobe displayed. These may be selected and viewed. Such scans may also havebeen obtained from different types of scanning devices. In anembodiment, pressing the “3D” icon 1804 causes collected data to bereformatted into a true 3D image display that may be rotated ortranslated to view the collected 3D data from a variety of perspectives.

FIG. 18C shows live (real-time) processing functions carried out by theSoC FPGA 1430, the mobile PC 1300, and the mobile computing device 1200according to an embodiment. These processing functions are carried outas an operator moves the handheld scanner 10 to scan an object. In anembodiment, live processing speeds of 20 frames per second are achieved.In an embodiment, the results of live processing are displayed on amobile computing device 1200 as in the example of FIG. 18B.

In an embodiment, during a live processing phase 1820, the SoC FPGA 1430performs a low-level, hardware acceleration function 1825, including IRimage processing 1821, color image processing 1822, projector control1823, and IMU control 1824. In an embodiment, IR image processing 1821includes the processing of images obtained on photosensitive arrays suchas the arrays of the cameras 20, 40 in FIG. 1. Color image processing1822 includes the processing of images obtained on the photosensitivearray of a color camera such as the registration camera 30 of FIG. 1.Projector control 1823 includes providing timing signals to synchronizethe projection of light patterns by a projector such as the projector 50with image capture by cameras such as the cameras 20, 40. In anembodiment, the IMU control 1824 interfaces with an IMU that includes athree-axis inclinometer (accelerometer) and a three-axis gyroscope.

In an embodiment, the SoC FPGA 1430 is coupled to the mobile PC 1300 andthe mobile computing device 1200 through a network 1827. In otherembodiments of the present invention, other types of processing devicesreplace the SoC FPGA 1430 and other devices replace the mobile PC 1300and the mobile computing device 1200.

In an embodiment, during the live processing phase 1820, the mobile PC1300 serves an extended-firmware function 1829 that includes 3D creation1830 and auto compensation 1831. In an embodiment, 3D creation 1830includes the creation of 3D coordinates by identifying correspondencesin left and right camera images and by performing triangulationcalculations to obtain 3D coordinates. In an embodiment, 3D creation1830 further includes locating image features such as spots to sub-pixelprecision. In an embodiment, 3D creation 1830 further includes settingthe exposure times for IR cameras. In an embodiment, auto compensation1831 includes verifying that projected and imaged features (such asprojected spots) are consistent with the requirements of epipolargeometry as explained in reference to FIG. 22. If inconsistencies areobserved, scanner parameters are changed as needed to make theobservations consistent. The process of regularly adjusting parametersto minimize inconsistencies is referred to as auto compensation.

During the live processing phase 1820, the mobile PC 1300 further servesa high-level function 1833 that includes tracking and frame registration1834, colorization 1835, 3D streaming 1836, and marker detection 1837.In an embodiment, tracking and frame registration 1834 is carried out byrecognizing common features of a scene in successive frames and thenregistering those successive frames in a common 3D frame of referencebased on those common features. This registration procedure furtherresults in the proper registration of 3D coordinates obtained fromcamera images such as from the cameras 20, 40. Examples of methods thatmight be used to identify features include scale-invariant featuretransform (SIFT), edge detection, blob detection, to name only a few ofthe available types. In an embodiment, the features are identified oncolor images obtained by a registration camera such as the camera 30 inFIG. 1. Colorization 1835 refers to the application of color obtainedfrom a color image to 3D coordinates, which may be obtained for exampleusing an IR projector and IR cameras. 3D streaming 1836 includes thesending of colorized 3D data to a display such as the display on themobile phone 1300. Marker detection 1837 refers to the detecting ofmarkers intentionally placed in a scene to assist in rapid registrationof multiple scans. There are two main types of registrations performedby the scanner system. The first type of registration is “tracking andframe registration” 1834 described herein above. This type ofregistration is performed rapidly as the handheld scanner 10 is moved toscan an object. The second main type of registration is the“registration of multiple scans,” which typically involves completing afirst scan and then moving the handheld scanner 10 to a differentlocation to begin a new scan. When the second scan is completed, the twoscans are registered together, typically by using common featuresobserved in each of the two scans. One fast and easy way to perform sucha scan is to provide markers that may be recognized and quickly matchedin each of the two scans. A convenient type of marker is the codedmarker, which may be quickly recognized and distinguished from othercoded markers based on their different patterns. In marker detection1837, identified markers may be used for live tracking and registrationimmediately after detection.

In an embodiment, during the live processing phase 1820, the mobilecomputing device 1200 serves a user-interface function 1839 thatincludes viewer 1840, control 1841, and feedback 1842. In an embodiment,the viewer function 1840 includes displaying image data indicatingvisually regions that have been scanned, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 18B. The control function 1841 includes providing user informationto the system, for example, by making user selections on a userinterface such as the interface of FIG. 18A. The feedback function 1842includes providing information to the user, for example, when an errorcondition is present or when an action (such as calibration) needs to beperformed. Such feedback may also be provided graphically, for example,as a scan is being taken.

FIG. 18D shows post-processing functions 1850A carried out by the mobilePC 1300 and the mobile computing device 1200 without assistance of theSoC FPGA 1430. Post-processing without the assistance of a processorsuch as the SoC FPGA 1430 is known in the prior art. It is describedhere to provide a comparison to FIG. 18E, which shows post-processingfunctions 1850B carried out with the assistance of the SoC FPGA 1430 orother processor according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, during the post-processing phase 1850A, the mobile PC1300 serves a high-level function 1852 that includes advanced markerdetection 1853, stray point filtering 1854, advanced registrationincluding loop closure 1855, advanced colorization 1856, and 3Dstreaming 1857. In an embodiment, advanced marker detection 1853includes identifying features of particular markers that enabledifferent markers to be distinguished. In an embodiment, stray pointfiltering 1854 removes 3D points that are determined to be off thesurface of the scanned object. In an embodiment, advanced registrationincluding loop closure 1855 includes additional registration functions.One such advanced registration feature is loop closure, which causesregistration to be carried out based on a matching of features after thehandheld scanner has been moved completely or substantially-completelyaround an object so that it again scans a region a second time. In anembodiment, advanced colorization 1856 includes adjusting colors tobalance colors as seen in different directions, for example, as seen ina direction facing a brightly illuminated region and in a directionfacing a darkly illuminated region. In an embodiment, 3D streaming 1857streams the post-processed 3D images to the display on the mobile phone1200 or other device.

In the post-processing phase 1850A, application software 1864 providesfurther processing functions including point cloud functions 1865,meshing 1866, and registration of multiple scans 1867. An example ofsuch application software is SCENE software manufactured by FAROTechnologies, with headquarters in Lake Mary, Fla. In an embodiment, thepoint cloud functions 1865 include those functions performed to put thecollected 3D points into a voxel structure. It further includes suchfunctions as providing of clipping boxes for the 3D data points in thepoint cloud. In an embodiment, meshing 1866 includes generating apolygonal or polyhedral mesh that approximates the scanned geometricsurface. The registration of multiple scans 1867 is the placing ofmultiple scans into a common coordinate system, as described hereinabove.

FIG. 18E shows post-processing functions 1850B carried out by the mobilePC 1300 and the mobile phone 1200 with assistance of the SoC FPGA 1430according to an embodiment. In other embodiments, other processors areused in place of SoC FPGA 1430.

In an embodiment, during the post-processing phase 1850B, the SoC FPGA1430 performs advanced marker detection 1870, stray point filtering1871, advanced colorization 1872, featured computation for advancedregistration 1873, descriptor computation for advanced registration1874, and registration of multiple scans 1875. In an embodiment,advanced marker detection 1870 is moved from the mobile PC 1300 (asindicated by the reference number 1853 in FIG. 18D) to the SoC FPGA 1430in FIG. 18E. In an embodiment, the SoC FPGA 1430 compresses the imageobtained from the color registration camera. It further finds in thecolor image candidate feature points and computes feature descriptorsfor these feature points used in registration and tracking. The SoC FPGA1430 also manages exposure time control for the color registrationcamera and the IR cameras. In an embodiment, exposure control happensduring live processing.

By providing the scanner 10 with a powerful processor such as the SoCFPGA 1430, co-processing of many functions are possible, therebyspeeding up post-processing of data. In an embodiment, stray pointfilter 1871 is moved from the mobile PC 1300 in FIG. 18D to the SoC FPGA1430 in FIG. 18E. In an embodiment, advanced colorization 1872 is movedfrom the mobile PC 1300 in FIG. 18D to the SoC FPGA 1430 in FIG. 18E. Inan embodiment, the feature computation for advanced registration 1873and the descriptor computation for advanced registration 1874 are bothmoved to the SoC FPGA 1430 in FIG. 18E from “Advanced registrationincluding loop closure” (element number 1855 in FIG. 18D) from themobile PC 1300. In an embodiment, the registration of multiple scans1875 performed by the SoC FPGA 1430 was previously only performed inapplication software 1864, as shown in the element 1867 of FIG. 1850A.The new functionality provided by the use of the SoC FPGA 1430 or otherprocessor in FIG. 18E provides faster and more complete processing ofscan data than available in prior art approaches such as that shown inFIG. 18D.

In an embodiment, during the post-processing phase 1850B, the mobile PC1300 serves a high-level function 1877 that includes management of SoCsubtasks 1878, advanced registration including loop closure 1879, and 3Dstreaming 1880. As in the case of live processing 1820 andpost-processing 1850A, the mobile phone 1200 serves a user-interfacefunction 1882 that includes viewer 1883, control 1884, and feedback1885.

In the post-processing phase 1850B, application software 1887 providesfurther processing functions including point cloud functions 1888 andmeshing 1889, which are same as the functions 1865, 1866, respectively,in FIG. 18D. Although the SoC FPGA 1430 provides registration ofmultiple scans 1875, the application software 1887 may provideadditional ways to register multiple scans. For example, in anembodiment, a cloud-to-cloud method of registration of multiple scans1875 is more efficiently performed on the SoC FPGA 1430, while atop-view, target-based registration is more efficiently performed on themobile PC 1300 or other workstation. In an embodiment, the user mayselect the desired type of registration. The appropriate processingdevice 1430 or 1300 is then automatically selected to perform theregistration of multiple scans.

FIG. 19 shows a triangulation scanner (3D imager) 1900 that projects apattern of light over an area on a surface 1930. The scanner 1900, whichhas a frame of reference 1960, includes a projector 1910 and a camera1920. In an embodiment, the projector 1910 includes an illuminatedprojector pattern generator 1912, a projector lens 1914, and aperspective center 1918 through which a ray of light 1911 emerges. Theray of light 1911 emerges from a corrected point 1916 having a correctedposition on the pattern generator 1912. In an embodiment, the point 1916has been corrected to account for aberrations of the projector,including aberrations of the lens 1914, in order to cause the ray topass through the perspective center 1918, thereby simplifyingtriangulation calculations. In an embodiment, the pattern generator 1912includes a light source that sends a beam of light through a DOE. Forexample, the light source might be the infrared laser 700 and the DOEmight be the DOE 713. A beam of light from the infrared laser 700 passesthrough the DOE, which diffracts the light into a diverging pattern suchas a diverging grid of spots. In an embodiment, one of the projectedrays of light 1911 has an angle corresponding to the angle a in FIG. 19.In another embodiment, the pattern generator 1912 includes a lightsource and a digital micromirror device (DMD). In other embodiments,other types of pattern generators 1912 are used.

The ray of light 1911 intersects the surface 1930 in a point 1932, whichis reflected (scattered) off the surface and sent through the cameralens 1924 to create a clear image of the pattern on the surface 1930 ofa photosensitive array 1922. The light from the point 1932 passes in aray 1921 through the camera perspective center 1928 to form an imagespot at the corrected point 1926. The position of the image spot ismathematically adjusted to correct for aberrations of the camera lens. Acorrespondence is obtained between the point 1926 on the photosensitivearray 1922 and the point 1916 on the illuminated projector patterngenerator 1912. As explained herein below, the correspondence may beobtained by using a coded or an uncoded pattern of projected light. Oncethe correspondence is known, the angles a and b in FIG. 19 may bedetermined. The baseline 1940, which is a line segment drawn between theperspective centers 1918 and 1928, has a length C. Knowing the angles a,b and the length C, all the angles and side lengths of the triangle1928-1932-1918 may be determined. Digital image information istransmitted to a processor 1950, which determines 3D coordinates of thesurface 1930. The processor 1950 may also instruct the illuminatedpattern generator 1912 to generate an appropriate pattern.

FIG. 20A shows a structured light triangulation scanner 2000 having aprojector 2050, a first camera 2010, and a second camera 2030. Theprojector 2050 creates a pattern of light on a pattern generator 2052,which it projects from a corrected point 2053 of the pattern through aperspective center 2058 (point D) of the lens 2054 onto an objectsurface 2070 at a point 2072 (point F). In an embodiment, the patterngenerator is a DOE that projects a pattern based on principles ofdiffractive optics. In other embodiments, other types of patterngenerators are used. The point 2072 is imaged by the first camera 2010by receiving a ray of light from the point 2072 through a perspectivecenter 2018 (point E) of a lens 2014 onto the surface of aphotosensitive array 2012 of the camera as a corrected point 2020. Thepoint 2020 is corrected in the read-out data by applying a correctionfactor to remove the effects of lens aberrations. The point 2072 islikewise imaged by the second camera 2030 by receiving a ray of lightfrom the point 2072 through a perspective center 2038 (point C) of thelens 2034 onto the surface of a photosensitive array 2032 of the secondcamera as a corrected point 2035. It should be understood that anyreference to a lens in this document is understood to mean any possiblecombination of lens elements and apertures.

FIG. 20B shows 3D imager 2080 having two cameras 2081, 2083 and aprojector 2085 arranged in a triangle A₁-A2-A₃. In an embodiment, the 3Dimager 2080 of FIG. 20B further includes a camera 2089 that may be usedto provide color (texture) information for incorporation into the 3Dimage. In addition, the camera 2089 may be used to register multiple 3Dimages through the use of videogrammetry. This triangular arrangementprovides additional information beyond that available for two camerasand a projector arranged in a straight line as illustrated in FIG. 20A.The additional information may be understood in reference to FIG. 21,which explains the concept of epipolar constraints, and FIG. 22, whichexplains how epipolar constraints are advantageously applied to thetriangular arrangement of the 3D imager 2080. In an embodiment, theelements 2081, 2083, 2085, 2089 in FIG. 20B correspond to the elements40, 20, 50, 30 in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 21, a 3D triangulation instrument 2140 includes a device 1 and adevice 2 on the left and right sides, respectively. Device 1 and device2 may be two cameras or device 1 and device 2 may be one camera and oneprojector. Each of the two devices, whether a camera or a projector, hasa perspective center, O₁ and O₂, and a reference plane, 2130 or 2110.The perspective centers are separated by a baseline distance B, which isthe length of the line 2102 between O₁ and O₂. The perspective centersO₁, O₂ are points through which rays of light may be considered totravel, either to or from a point on an object. These rays of lighteither emerge from an illuminated projector pattern or impinge on aphotosensitive array.

In FIG. 21, a device 1 has a perspective center O₁ and a reference plane2130, where the reference plane 2130 is, for the purpose of analysis,equivalent to an image plane of the object point O₁ 2130. In otherwords, the reference plane 2130 is a projection of the image plane aboutthe perspective center O₁. A device 2 has a perspective center O₂ and areference plane 2110. A line 2102 drawn between the perspective centersO₁ and O₂ crosses the planes 2130 and 2110 at the epipole points E₁, E₂,respectively. Consider a point U_(D) on the plane 2130. If device 1 is acamera, an object point that produces the point U_(D) on the referenceplane 2130 (which is equivalent to a corresponding point on the image)must lie on the line 2138. The object point might be, for example, oneof the points V_(A), V_(B), V_(C), or V_(D). These four object pointscorrespond to the points W_(A), W_(B), W_(C), W_(D), respectively, onthe reference plane 2110 of device 2. This is true whether device 2 is acamera or a projector. It is also true that the four points lie on astraight line 2112 in the plane 2110. This line, which is the line ofintersection of the reference plane 2110 with the plane of O₁-O₂-U_(D),is referred to as the epipolar line 2112. It follows that any epipolarline on the reference plane 2110 passes through the epipole E₂. Just asthere is an epipolar line on the reference plane 2110 of device 2 forany point U_(D) on the reference plane of device 1, there is also anepipolar line 2134 on the reference plane 2130 of device 1 for any pointon the reference plane 2110 of device 2.

FIG. 22 illustrates the epipolar relationships for a 3D imager 2290corresponding to 3D imager 2080 of FIG. 20B in which two cameras and oneprojector are arranged in a triangular pattern. In general, the device1, device 2, and device 3 may be any combination of cameras andprojectors as long as at least one of the devices is a camera. Each ofthe three devices 2291, 2292, 2293 has a perspective center O₁, O₂, O₃,respectively, and a reference plane 2260, 2270, and 2280, respectively.Each pair of devices has a pair of epipoles. Device 1 and device 2 haveepipoles E₁₂, E₂₁ on the planes 2260, 2270, respectively. Device 1 anddevice 3 have epipoles E₁₃, E₃₁, respectively on the planes 2260, 2280,respectively. Device 2 and device 3 have epipoles E₂₃, E₃₂ on the planes2270, 2280, respectively. In other words, each reference plane includestwo epipoles. The reference plane for device 1 includes epipoles E₁₂ andE₁₃. The reference plane for device 2 includes epipoles E₂₁ and E₂₃. Thereference plane for device 3 includes epipoles E₃₁ and E₃₂.

Consider the situation of FIG. 22 in which device 3 is a projector,device 1 is a first camera, and device 2 is a second camera. Supposethat a projection point P₃, a first image point P₁, and a second imagepoint P₂ are obtained in a measurement. These results can be checked forconsistency in the following way.

To check the consistency of the image point P₁, intersect the planeP₃-E₃₁-E₁₃ with the reference plane 2260 to obtain the epipolar line2264. Intersect the plane P₂-E₂₁-E₁₂ to obtain the epipolar line 2262.If the image point P₁ has been determined consistently, the observedimage point P₁ will lie on the intersection of the calculated epipolarlines 2262 and 2264.

To check the consistency of the image point P₂, intersect the planeP₃-E₃₂-E₂₃ with the reference plane 2270 to obtain the epipolar line2274. Intersect the plane P₁-E₁₂-E₂₁ to obtain the epipolar line 2272.If the image point P₂ has been determined consistently, the observedimage point P₂ will lie on the intersection of the calculated epipolarlines 2272 and 2274.

To check the consistency of the projection point P₃, intersect the planeP₂-E₂₃-E₃₂ with the reference plane 2280 to obtain the epipolar line2284. Intersect the plane P₁-E₁₃-E₃₁ to obtain the epipolar line 2282.If the projection point P₃ has been determined consistently, theprojection point P₃ will lie on the intersection of the calculatedepipolar lines 2282 and 2284.

The redundancy of information provided by using a 3D imager having threedevices (such as two cameras and one projector) enables a correspondenceamong projected points to be established even without analyzing thedetails of the captured images and projected pattern features. Suppose,for example, that the three devices include two cameras and oneprojector. Then a correspondence among projected and imaged points maybe directly determined based on the mathematical constraints of theepipolar geometry. This may be seen in FIG. 22 by noting that a knownposition of an illuminated point on one of the reference planes 2260,2270, 2280 automatically provides the information needed to determinethe location of that point on the other two reference planes.Furthermore, once a correspondence among points has been determined oneach of the three reference planes 2260, 2270, 2280, a triangulationcalculation may be performed using only two of the three devices of FIG.22. A description of such a triangulation calculation is discussed inrelation to FIG. 19.

By establishing correspondence based on epipolar constraints, it ispossible to determine 3D coordinates of an object surface by projectinguncoded spots of light. An example of projection of uncoded spots isillustrated in FIG. 23. In an embodiment, a projector 2310 projects acollection of identical spots of light 2321 on an object 2320. In theexample shown, the surface of the object 2320 is curved in an irregularmanner causing an irregular spacing of the projected spots on thesurface. One of the projected points is the point 2322, projected from aprojector source element 2312 and passing through the perspective center2316 as a ray of light 2324 forms a point 2318 on the reference plane2314.

The point or spot of light 2322 on the object 2320 is projected as a rayof light 2326 through the perspective center 2332 of a first camera2330, resulting in a point 2334 on the image sensor of the camera 2330.The corresponding point on the reference plane 2336 is 2338. Likewise,the point or spot of light 2322 is projected as a ray of light 2328through the perspective center 2342 of a second camera 2340, resultingin a point 2344 on the image sensor of the camera 2340. Thecorresponding point on the reference plane 2346 is 2348. In anembodiment, a processor 2350 is in communication with the projector2310, first camera 2330, and second camera 2340. The processordetermines a correspondence among points on the projector 2310, firstcamera 2330, and second camera 2340. In an embodiment, the processor2350 performs a triangulation calculation to determine the 3Dcoordinates of the point 2322 on the object 2320. An advantage of ascanner 2300 having three device elements, either two cameras and oneprojector or one camera and two projectors, is that correspondence maybe determined among projected points without matching projected featurecharacteristics. In other words, correspondence can be established amongspots on the reference planes 2336, 2314, and 2346 even without matchingparticular characteristics of the spots. The use of the three devices2310, 2330, 2340 also has the advantage of enabling identifying orcorrecting errors in compensation parameters by noting or determininginconsistencies in results obtained from triangulation calculations, forexample, between two cameras, between the first camera and theprojector, and between the second camera and the projector.

In an embodiment, the projected pattern, while still uncoded and still agrid, has two superimposed grid densities as illustrated in FIGS. 24A,24B, 24C, 24D. FIGS. 24A, 24 b show a portion of an image 2400A obtainedby a photosensitive array on a first camera such as the camera 20 and acorresponding portion of an image 2400B obtained by a photosensitivearray of a second camera such as the camera 40. In an embodiment, eachcorresponding grid of spots 2402A, 2402B having relatively lowbrightness is combined with a lower density grid of spots 2404A, 2404Bhaving a relatively high brightness. In some embodiments, there is alimit to the density of the spacing of points that can be clearlymatched in the images 24A, 24B based on the epipolar geometry asdescribed herein above. By including a high density grid 2402A, 2402Bwith a low density grid 2404A, 2404B, the low density grid points canassist in eliminating ambiguities in closely spaced high density points2402A, 2402B. Another advantage of the combination of brighter points inthe low density grid 2404A, 2404B and dimmer points in the high densitygrid 2402A, 2402B is that this combination provides a higher dynamicrange than would either type alone. Brighter points are detected onlow-reflectivity surfaces where dimmer points might not be seen.Likewise dimmer points are detected on higher reflectivity surfaceswhere brighter points might be overexposed.

FIGS. 24C, 24D display a single column of grid points 2410A, 2410B foreach of the two camera images, wherein each single column 2410A, 2410Bincludes a combination of low density grid points 2402A, 2402B and highdensity grid points 2404A, 2404B. A correspondence is determined foreach of these grid elements, herein marked with circles. As explainedabove, in an embodiment, the correspondence among each of the elementsin the image planes of the two cameras is determined based on epipolargeometry for three or more devices such as the devices 2310, 2330, 2340.

FIGS. 25A, 25B illustrate a further step in which, for the singlecolumns 2410A, 2410B, rows of pixels are isolated for each of theidentified spots. In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25A, FIG. 25B,the number of 3D points measured on the surface of an object isincreased by approximately a factor of five. As described in theprevious paragraph, a correspondence has been established among spots asindicated by the arrows labeled 2502, 2504, 2506. In an embodiment, afurther correspondence is determined between each row of pixels in eachof the corresponding spots in the left and right images. For example, inthe illustration of FIGS. 25A, 25B, the corresponding spots indicated bythe arrow 2502 have three corresponding pixel rows, which can be labeledas rows 1-3. Likewise, the corresponding spots indicated by the arrow2504 have eight corresponding pixel rows, which can be labeled as rows4-11. The corresponding spots indicated by the arrow 2506 have fourcorresponding pixel rows, which can be labeled as rows 12-15. In anembodiment, a method, embodied in a mathematical algorithm performed bya processor, is applied to determine a center of each of the identifiedrows 1-15. For example, in a simple case, the center of one of the rows1-15 for each of the left and right images is based on a centroid ofthat row. In other embodiments, other methods are used. For example, inan embodiment, the center of pixels in a row is determined based onfitting pixel intensities to a function such as a Gaussian or apolynomial. The curves 2520 in FIGS. 25A, 25B schematically representthe selected mathematical algorithm, which as might be a function towhich the pixel intensities are fitted or a mathematical algorithm (forexample, an algorithm to obtain a centroid). The advantage ofdetermining 3D coordinates for corresponding pixel rows withincorresponding spots is an increase in the density of measured points onthe surface of the object under test.

FIG. 26A displays a single column 2610A in an image from a left camera.FIG. 26B displays a single column in an image from a right camera. Eachsingle column 2610A, 2610B includes a combination of low density gridpoints 2602A, 2602B, high density grid points 2604A, 2604B, andconnecting lines or curves 2608A, 2608B. The images of FIGS. 26A, 26Bare similar to the images of FIGS. 24C, 24D, respectively, except thatFIGS. 26A, 26B further include the connecting lines or curves 2608A,2608B.

FIGS. 27A, 27B illustrate a further step in which, for the singlecolumns 2710A, 2710B, rows of pixels are isolated not only forcorresponding spots but also for connecting lines or curves 2608A, 2608Billustrated in FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B. In an embodiment illustrated inFIG. 27A, FIG. 27B, the number of 3D points measured on the surface ofan object is increased by approximately a factor of ten relative to thatobtained using the corresponding pairs of spots 2702, 2704, 2706. Forexample, in the illustration of FIGS. 27A, 27B, the corresponding spotsindicated by the arrow 2708, representing pairs of connecting lines orcurves 2608A, 2608B, have 15 corresponding pixel rows, which can belabeled as rows 1-4, 8-10, 20-23. Likewise, the corresponding spotsindicated by the arrow 2502 have three corresponding pixel rows, whichcan be labeled as rows 5-7. The corresponding spots indicated by thearrow 2504 have nine corresponding pixel rows, which can be labeled asrows 11-19. The corresponding spots indicated by the arrow 2506 havefour corresponding pixel rows, which can be labeled as rows 24-27. In anembodiment, a method is applied to determine a center of each of theidentified rows 1-30. For example, in a simple case, the center of oneof the rows 1-30 for each of the left and right images is based on acentroid of that row. In other embodiments, other methods are used. Forexample, in an embodiment, the center of pixels in a row is determinedbased on fitting pixel intensities to a function such as a Gaussian or apolynomial. The curves 2720 in FIGS. 27A, 27B schematically representthe selected method, which as might be a function to which the pixelintensities are fitted or a method (for example, an algorithm to obtaina centroid). The advantage of determining 3D coordinates forcorresponding pixel rows both for corresponding spots and for connectinglines or curves is a further increase in the density of measured pointson the surface of the object under test.

One challenge faced by triangulation scanners is determining 3Dcoordinates for sharp edges. For the case of projected patterns havingprojection elements spaced relatively far apart, the projected patternmay not intersect edges of the object under test. A way to assist indetermining sharp edges is to project a pattern that includes lines.

In an embodiment, a pattern having a collection of alternating dots andlines is projected onto an object. In an embodiment, FIG. 28A shows theresulting image 2800A obtained by the left camera, and FIG. 28B showsthe resulting image 2800B obtained by the right camera. The dots andlines are indicated by the reference numbers 2820A, 2810A in the leftimage and by the reference numbers 2820B, 2810B in the right image. Adashed line 2830A is drawn on the image of FIG. 28A to indicate aparticular row of the photosensitive array of the left camera. A pointof intersection of this row with one of the lines 2810A is indicated bythe reference number 2840A. Likewise, a dashed line 2830B is drawn onthe image of FIG. 28B to indicate a particular row of the photosensitivearray of the right camera. The point of intersection of the row with oneof the lines 2810B is indicated by the reference number 2840B. Thepoints of intersection 2840A, 2840B are both images of a single point oflight projected onto an object.

If the handheld scanner is moved so that the solid lines are keptapproximately perpendicular to the sharp edges of an object, the edgesof the object can be easily measured, thereby providing better 3Dcoordinates for the sharp edges.

In an embodiment, a method is used to establish correspondences amongpoints in the lines 2810A and points in the lines 2810B, where device 1and device 2 in FIG. 21 are both cameras of a scanner such as thescanner 10. In an embodiment, a point in the line 2810A is analogous tothe point U_(D) in FIG. 21, and the points W_(A), W_(B), W_(C), W_(D)are exemplary corresponding points on the epipolar line 2112 of thereference plane 2110. In an embodiment, the spacing between the lines2810B on the reference plane 2110 is large enough to enabledetermination of the point on the epipolar line 2112 that corresponds tothe point U_(D). Such a determination may be made, for example, based ona determination of the position of the spots 2820A, 2820B and thedistance to the spots, which in an embodiment are determined accordingto the method described above in reference to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23.

With this embodiment, the correspondence problem is solved fordetermining corresponding points on the solid lines 2810A, 2810B ofFIGS. 28A, 28B, thereby providing the advantage in obtaining 3Dcoordinates for sharp edges of objects. Furthermore, the inclusion ofthe spots 2820A, 2820B in FIGS. 28A, 28B provides the additionaladvantage of enabling compensation of the scanner system to be checkedfor self-consistency. The values of these parameters is typicallydetermined periodically using a calibration plate or similar method.Over time and with changes in temperature, such parameters may change.However, if the coordinates of the corresponding spots projected fromthe projector plane and imaged by the two cameras are not fullyself-consistent, an error in the compensation parameters is indicated.One method of correcting such inconsistencies is to perform acalibration procedure using a calibration plate or similar method.Another method is to perform an optimization procedure in which theparameters are adjusted until the observed inconsistencies are reducedor minimized. In summary, a projection pattern that combines acollection of points with a collection of solid lines has advantages inimproving the 3D coordinates of sharp edges. It further includesadvantages in providing a way to monitor or self-correct errors incalibration parameters based on inconsistencies in observed patterns.One type of error that may be detected and corrected, based on aparameter-adjustment optimization procedure, is in the pose of the firstcamera, the second camera, and the projector. The term “pose” refers toa combination of position and orientation. Another type of error thatmay be detected and corrected, based on a parameter-adjustmentoptimization procedure, is in the wavelength of the projected light.

An alternative embodiment to obtain improved 3D coordinates for sharpedges while, at the same time, providing a way to monitor orself-correct errors in calibration parameters is shown in FIGS. 29A,29B. In an embodiment, a pattern having a collection of dashed lines isprojected onto an object. In an embodiment, FIG. 29A shows the image2900A obtained by the left camera, and FIG. 29B shows the image 2900Bobtained by the right camera. Each dashed line 2910A includes acollection of spaces 2912A and line segments 2914A. Likewise, eachdashed line 2910B includes a collection of spaces 2912B and linesegments 2914B. A dashed line 2930A is drawn on the image of FIG. 29A toindicate a particular row of the photosensitive array of the leftcamera. A point of intersection of this row with one of the lines 2910Ais indicated by the reference number 2940A. Likewise, a dashed line2930B is drawn on the image of FIG. 29B to indicate a particular row ofthe photosensitive array of the right camera. The point of intersectionof the row with one of the lines 2910B is indicated by the referencenumber 2940B. The spots of intersection 2940A, 2940B are images of acorresponding spot of light projected onto an object.

If the handheld scanner is moved so that the dashed lines are keptapproximately perpendicular to the sharp edges of an object, the edgesof the object can be measured except for the case in which the edge ofthe object coincides with a space 2912A, 2912B in the pattern. In anembodiment, the locations of the spaces 2912A, 2912B are varied for eachof the lines 2910A, 2910B to avoid this problem. An example of suchvariable location of spaces is illustrated in FIGS. 29A, 29B.

The method for obtaining correspondences of points on the solid portions2914A, 2914B of the dashed lines 2910A, 2910B is the same as describedabove in relation to FIGS. 28A, 28B. In other words, the methoddescribed herein above to determining corresponding pairs of points onthe solid lines of FIGS. 28A, 28B may be used to determine correspondingpairs of points on the dashed lines 2910, 2910B of FIGS. 29A, 29B. Themethod for monitoring or self-correcting errors in calibrationparameters uses the spaces 2912A, 2912B in the lines 2910A, 2910B toenforce epipolar self-consistency. This is possible because the spacesare relatively compact, much like the spots 2920A, 2920B in FIG. 28A andFIG. 28B.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associatedwith measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipmentavailable at the time of filing the application. For example, “about”can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components,and/or groups thereof.

While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection with only alimited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that thedisclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, thedisclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosurehave been described, it is to be understood that the exemplaryembodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects.Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by theforegoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld device comprising: a projectoroperable to project a pattern of light onto an object at a plurality ofdifferent times; a first camera operable to capture at the plurality ofdifferent times the projected pattern of light in first images; a secondcamera operable to capture at the plurality of different times theprojected pattern of light in second images; a registration cameraoperable to capture a plurality of third images, each of the pluralityof third images being captured in succession; one or more processorsoperable to determine three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of points onthe object based at least in part on the projected pattern, the firstimages, and the second images, the one or more processors being furtheroperable to register the determined 3D coordinates based at least inpart on common features extracted from the succession of third images;and a mobile computing device operably connected to the handheld deviceand in communication with the one or more processors, the mobilecomputing device being operable to display the determined registered 3Dcoordinates of points.
 2. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein themobile computing device is further operable to provide a user interface(UI) that enables a user to instruct the handheld device to takespecified actions.
 3. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein the mobilecomputing device is removably attached to a case of the handheld device,the case being fixedly attached to the projector, the first camera, andthe second camera.
 4. The handheld device of claim 3 wherein the mobilecomputing device is removably attached to the case by a magneticattraction between the mobile computing device and the case.
 5. Thehandheld device of claim 1 wherein the mobile computing device isselected from the group consisting of a smart phone, a personal digitalassistant, and a tablet computer.
 6. The handheld device of claim 1wherein the mobile computing device includes a color camera operable tocapture images, including two-dimensional (2D) still images.
 7. Thehandheld device of claim 6 wherein the 2D still images are synchronizedwith time stamps to the determined 3D coordinates of points.
 8. Thehandheld device of claim 1 further comprising a mobile personal computer(PC), the mobile PC having a computing unit and a battery.
 9. Thehandheld scanner of claim 8 wherein the battery is removable andrechargeable.
 10. The handheld device of claim 8 wherein the mobile PCis operable for attachment to the user.
 11. The handheld device of claim8 wherein the mobile PC is operable to cooperate with the one or moreprocessors to determine the registered 3D coordinates of points on theobject.
 12. The handheld device of claim 11 wherein the mobile PC isoperable to transmit a signal of the determined registered 3Dcoordinates of points on the object to the mobile computing device, thesignal being transmitted over at least one of an electrical cable fromthe mobile PC to the mobile computing device or a wireless communicationchannel from the mobile PC to the mobile computing device.
 13. Thehandheld device of claim 2 wherein the UI of the mobile computing deviceprovides access to one or more calibrations of the handheld device. 14.The handheld device of claim 2 wherein the UI of the mobile computingdevice provides access to a thumbnail sized images of scans associatedwith scan projects.
 15. The handheld device of claim 2 wherein the UI ofthe mobile computing device causes the determined registered 3Dcoordinates to be reformatted into a true 3D image display that may berotated or translated to view the collected 3D data from a variety ofperspectives.
 16. The handheld device of of claim 1 in which the mobilecomputing device displays the results of live processing, thelive-processing results being provided at least once per second.
 17. Thehandheld device of claim 2 wherein the UI includes a viewer function, acontrol function, and a feedback function, the viewer functiondisplaying image data from regions that have been scanned, the controlfunction enabling control of the handheld device through userselections, the feedback function providing information to the user. 18.The handheld scanner of claim 12 wherein the mobile PC is furtheroperable to stream colorized 3D data to the mobile computing device, thecolorized 3D data obtained from the one or more processors by applyingcolor obtained from a color camera to the determined 3D coordinates.